Recording device, recording medium recording method, and program for recording medium recording method

ABSTRACT

A video camera uses an optical disk based on the DVD system. Data for determination changing each time data corresponding to a recording unit from a start of a recording operation until the end of the recording operation is generated based on management data recorded in a recording medium and is recoded in the recording medium  5 . A type of a recording apparatus having recorded a recording unit recorded last is determined by comparing the data for determination recorded in the recording medium  5  to the management data, thereby switching a management unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a method ofrecording data in a recording medium, and a program for the method ofrecording data in a recording medium. The invention can be applied, forinstance, to a video camera using an optical disk based on the DVD(Digital Versatile Disk) system. The present invention enables securemanagement of recorded contents, even when data is additionally recordedin a recording medium recorded with a device having a differentmanagement unit, by generating data for determination changing each timea recording unit from start of recording until end of recording isrecorded in a recording medium based on management data recorded in therecording medium and recording the data in the recording medium,comparing the data for determination recorded in the recording medium tothe management data, and determining based on a result of the comparisona recording apparatus employing the recording unit for data recordedlast to switch the management unit.

BACKGROUND ART

Heretofore, in a DVD recorder which is a stationary device for home use,data recorded from a start until the end of a recording operation ismanaged as one program according to the video recording format for aDVD.

Recently, there has been proposed and developed a portable type of videocamera in which an optical disk based on the DVD system is used as arecording medium.

For the optical disk based on the DVD system, there have been proposedvarious types of file management systems as disclosed, for instance, inJapanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-111944.

In this portable type of video camera, it is generally anticipated thatoperations for starting and stopping recording are frequently repeated.However, in an optical disk based on the DVD system, the maximum numberof allowable programs is limited to 99. With this scheme, in theportable type of video camera, it is conceivable that a plurality ofscenes intermittently recorded are compiled into one program based onsuch data as a date suited to batch management.

With this scheme, however, when data recorded with this type of videocamera is additionally recorded in an optical disk based on the DVDsystem storing therein data recorded with a DVD recorder, for instance,a TV program recorded at home and various scenes recorded at remotesites are compiled into one program for management, whichdisadvantageously and remarkably degrades the convenience in practicaluse.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention was made in the light of the circumstances asdescribed above, and proposes a recording apparatus and a recordingmethod for a recording medium enabling secure management of recordedcontents even when additional data is recorded in a recording mediumstoring therein data recorded with a device having a differentmanagement unit, and a program for the recording method for a recordingmedium.

To solve the problem as described above, in the present invention,management data is generated so that a system stream, in which an audiostream and a video stream are multiplexed, can be managed as onerecording unit from a recording start to a recording end correspondingto the recording start and also said plurality of recording units can bemanaged as another management unit; the system stream and managementdata are applied to a recording apparatus for recording data in arecording medium to generate data for determination changing each timedata corresponding to said recording unit is recorded in the recordingmedium based on the management data; the data for determination isrecorded in the recording medium; the data for determination recorded inthe recording medium is compared to the management data to determine arecording apparatus having the recording unit for data recorded last;and a management unit is switched according to a result of saiddetermination.

When the configuration according to the present invention as describedabove is applied to a recording apparatus, by generating data fordetermination changing each time data corresponding to a recording unitis recorded in a recording medium, recording the data for determinationin the recording medium, comparing the data for determination recordedin the recording medium to the management data to determine a recordingapparatus having the recording unit for data recorded last, andswitching a recording unit based on a result of the determination, it ispossible to easily determine the recording apparatus having therecording unit for data recorded last, and also by updating themanagement unit based on the determination result, even when additionaldata is recorded in a recording medium storing therein data recordedwith a device having a different management unit, the recorded contentscan accurately be switched.

In the present invention, management data is generated so that a systemstream, in which an audio stream and a video stream are multiplexed, canbe managed with data recorded from a start to the end of a recordingoperation as one recording unit and also with data corresponding to aplurality of recording units as another management unit; the systemstream and management data are applied to a recording method for arecording apparatus for recording data in a recording medium to generatedata for determination changing each time data corresponding to arecording unit is recorded in the recording medium based on themanagement data; the data for determination is recorded in the recordingmedium; the data for determination recorded in the recording medium iscompared to the management data to determine a recording apparatushaving the recording unit for data recorded last; and a management unitis switched according to a result of determination.

Because of the features as described above, with the configurationaccording to the present invention, it is possible to provide arecording method for a recording medium enabling secure management ofrecorded data even when data is additionally recorded in a recordingmedium recorded with a device having a different management unit.

Further in the present invention, a program for the recording method fora recording medium according to the present invention is applied to acomputer controlling operations of a recording apparatus to make thecomputer executed a prespecified processing sequence, and the recordingmethod includes the steps of generating data for determination changingeach time data corresponding to a recording unit is recorded in arecording medium based on management data and recording the data fordetermination in the recording medium, comparing the data fordetermination recorded in the recording medium to the management data todetermine a recording apparatus employing the recording unit for datarecorded last, and switching a management unit according to thedetermination result.

Because of the features as described above, it is possible to provide aprogram for a recording method for a recording medium enabling securemanagement of recorded contents even when data is additionally recordedin a recording medium recorded with a device having a differentmanagement unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a video camera according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for illustrating management of scenes withthe video camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a formant of a recording mediumfor the video camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for illustrating a PGC;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for illustrating a management data file;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for illustrating M_AVFI in the management data fileshown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a diagram for illustrating MNFIT in the management data fileshown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing a processing sequence in a systemcontrol section for the video camera shown in FIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail withreference to related drawings.

(1) Configuration of the Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a portable type video camera using anoptical disk based on the DVD system according to the embodiment of thepresent invention. In this video camera 1, a camera section 2 switchesoperations thereof under control by a system control section 3, outputsa video stream SV and an audio data stream SA fetched from an object toa deck section 4, and further fetches the video stream SV and the audiostream SA reproduced in the deck section 4 for monitoring.

The deck section 4 switches operations thereof under control by thesystem control section 3, records the video stream SV and audio streamSA in a recording medium 5, and also reproduces the video stream SV andaudio stream SA from the recording medium 5 for outputting the data tothe camera section 2. In this embodiment, an optical disk based on theDVD system is used as the recording medium 5.

In the deck section 4, a stream processing section 6 switches operationsthereof under control by the system control section 3 and, whenrecording data, generates a system stream by multiplexing the videostream SV and audio stream SA outputted from the camera section 2, andalso outputs this system stream to a recording medium drive processingsection 7. Further the stream processing section 6 outputs various typesof information required for generation of management data for managingthe recording medium 5 to a management data processing section 8. On thecontrary, when data is to be reproduced, the stream processing section 6divides the system stream outputted from the recording medium driveprocessing section 7 to the video stream SV and audio stream SA, andoutputs the streams to the camera section 2.

The management data processing section 8 generates, when recording data,management data based on information outputted from the streamprocessing section 6 as well as data outputted from the system controlsection 3, and outputs the management data to the recording medium driveprocessing section 7. When reproducing the data, the management dataprocessing section 8 processes the management data outputted from therecording medium drive processing section 7 and reports the managementdata to the system control section 3 and other related sections.

The recording medium drive processing section 7 switches operationsthereof under control by the system control section 3, processes thesystem stream outputted from the stream processing section 6 andmanagement data outputted from the management data processing section 8to satisfy the requirements for an optical disk based on the DVD system,and stores the system stream and management data in the recordingmedium. In reproduction, the recording medium drive processing section 7reproduces data from the recording medium 5 and outputs the data to thestream processing section 6 and management data processing section 8.

A user interface 9 detects operations of operators or the like providedin this video camera, reports the operations to the system controlsection 3, and also reports various types of alarms and the likeoutputted from the system control section 3 to the user.

The system control section 3 is a computer, and controls operations ofthe video camera 1 as a whole by executing a program recorded in anincorporated memory in response to operations of the operators or thelike by the user reported from the user interface 9. Namely, when arecording start button is pressed by the user, the system controlsection 3 coordinates and controls operations of the entire video camera1 by issuing a recording demand from the user interface 9, and thengenerates a system stream in the stream processing section 6 based onthe video stream SV and audio stream SA obtained by the camera section2, further generates corresponding management data in the managementdata processing section 8, and records the management data with therecording medium drive processing section 7 in the recording medium 5.Further when recording is started as described above and then arecording end button is pressed by the user, the system control section3 terminates recording by coordinating and controlling operations of theentire video camera 1 based on a recording stop demand from the userinterface 9.

In this embodiment, a recording unit (i.e. recorded unit) from a startof a recording operation until the end of this recording operation asdescribed above is defined as a scene. In the video camera 1, aplurality of scenes in a range suited for management by a user aremanaged as a management unit by a program as shown in FIG. 2, and therange managed by the program as a management unit is set for a recordingdate. Because of this feature, when data is additionally stored in therecording medium 5, if a scene recorded just ahead has the same date asthat provided by an incorporated timer, the additional data is managedby the same program as that for the scene already recorded.

When the management by a program dealing data having the same date as amanagement unit, in this embodiment, even if there are a plurality ofdata streams having the same date, a scene recorded by other device ismanaged by a different program, so that, for instance, a TV programrecorded at home and various scenes recorded at remote sites areprevented from being managed by the same program, which insuresimprovement in convenience for users in practical use.

In the management of scenes by the program as described above, themanagement is carried out based on the management data generated in themanagement data processing section 8.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing logical configuration of therecording medium 5 providing management of the management data asdescribed above. In the recording medium 5, a management fileVR_MANGR.IFO and the like controlled based on the management data isprovided in a DVD_RTAV directory just below a ROOT directory. In thisdirectory, the VR_MOVIE.VRO file is a file in which a moving picture isrecorded, while the VR_STILL.VRO file is a file in which a still pictureand audio data simultaneously recorded together with the still pictureare recorded. The VR_AUDIO.VRO file is a file in which only audio datais recorded, and the VR_MANGR.BUP is a backup file for the managementfile VR_MANGR.IFO.

In this embodiment, video data and video data each constituting a systemstream described above is sequentially divided with a prespecified datavolume to form video packs and audio packs, and M_VOBs including VOBUs(Video Object Unit) each having the video packs and audio packs arearranged according to the recording order to form the VR_MOVIE.VRO file.

In this embodiment, the M_VOB including the system stream as describedabove constitutes a scene as a recording unit, and a header position ofthe M_VOB is identified by an entry point assigned to the managementfile VR_MOVIE.IFO file. Further as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality ofscenes are managed by a program by means of management of a reproductionpath based on the program chain information (PGCI).

In the DVD system, the reproduction path is defined by a sequence ofcells (PGC: Program Chain) each indicating a partial zone or the entirezone of the M_VOB file. This reproduction path includes an original PGC(Program Chain) referring to all video data in a disk and auser-definable PGC allowing a definition by a user. In the original PGC,a program formed by logically bundling a plurality of cells is defined,and a plurality of M_VOBs (VOBs) in the VR_MOVIE.VRO file are managed bythis program.

In FIG. 4, the M_VOBI is management data provided in each M_VOB, andTMAP is a filter for converting time information based on the programchain information in the M_VOBI to the VOB address.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a management file VR_MANGR.IFO put under thecontrol as described above. Information for real time recording videomanagement (RTR_VMG) is assigned to the management file VR_MANGR.IFO,and this RTR_VMG includes the following 7 tables: RTR_VMGI, M_AVFIT,S_AVFIT, ORG_PGCI, UD_PGCIT, TXTDT_MG, and MNFIT.

Information concerning a disk as a whole such as an identifierindicating the management file VR_MANGR.IFO and recording positioninformation are herein assigned to RTR_VMGI. Namely, start addresses(M_AVFIT_SA) for M_AVFIT and S_AVFIT, a start address and an end addressfor ORG_PCGI, and start addresses (MNFIT_SA) for UD_PGCIT, TXTDT_MG, andMNFIT are assigned to the RTR_VMGI. With this configuration, in thisrecording medium 5, each of successive tables can be searched based onthe RTR_VMGI of the management file VR_MANGR.IFO.

Management information corresponding to the moving picture AV fileVR_MOVIE.VRO is assigned to the M_AVFIT, and management informationcorresponding to the still picture AV file VR_STILL.VRO is assigned tothe S_AVFIT. Management information corresponding to the original PGC isassigned to the ORG_PGCI, while management information corresponding tothe user-definable PGC is assigned to the UD_PGCIT. Managementinformation for management of text data is assigned to the TXTDT_MG, andthe MNFIT is assigned to a user area.

Of these, the M_AVFIT includes M_AVFITI, M_VOB_STI, and M_AVFI. Ofthese, the M_AVFITI stores therein information required to access thefollowing M_VOB_STI and M_AVFI. More specifically, informationindicating whether the moving AV file VR_MOVIE.VRO is present or not(M_AVFI_Ns), information M_VOB_STI_Ns indicating a number of followingM_VOB_STIs, and an end address (M_AVFIT_EA) for M_AVFITI are recorded inthe M_AVFITI.

In contrast, M_VOB_STI is provided for each M_VOB, and informationconcerning configuration of VOB is recorded in the M_VOB_STI. Morespecifically, video attribute information (V_ATR) for the correspondingM_VOB, a number of audio streams (AST_Ns), a number of sub-picturestreams (SPST_Ns), audio attribute information corresponding to theaudio stream 0 (A_ATR0), audio attribute information corresponding tothe audio stream 1 (A_ATR1), and color pallet information for asub-picture (SP_PLT) are successively assigned to the M_VOB_STI.

Information required to access the M_VOB is assigned to the M_AVFI, andthe M_AVFI includes M_AVFI_GI, M_VOBI_SRP, and M_VOBI.

As shown in FIG. 6, a number of search pointers set in all of M_VOBs(M_VOBI_SRP_Ns) are assigned to the M_AVFI_GI. The successive M_VOBI_SRPare provided for each M_VOBs, and a start address M_VOBI_SA formanagement data M_VOBI for the corresponding M_VOB is assigned to eachM_VOB.

The M_VOBI is provided for each M_VOB, and includes M_VOB_GI, SMLI,AGAPI, and TMAPI. Assigned to the M_VOB_GI are information (VOB_TY)indicating whether or not originals, rewritten ones and gaps are presentin the audio steams 0 and 1 of corresponding M_VOB, information(VOB_REC_TM) and (VOB_REC_TM_SUB) indicating a date and time whenrecording of the corresponding M_VOB is started. Data concerning thedate and time when recording is started indicated by the VOB_REC_TM isformed with data for year, month, day, time of a day, minute, andsecond. A field is assigned to the data concerning the date and timewhen recording is started indicated by the VOB_REC_TM_SUB.

Further a number (M_VOB_STIN) identifying the M_VOB_STI relating to thecorresponding M_VOB is assigned to the M_VOB_GI. Further, informationconcerning a time zone relating to this M_VOB(Time_Zone_of_Recording_this_VOB) is recorded therein in correspondenceto the time information (VOB_V_S_PTM) for a start of display of thecorresponding M_VOB, time information (VOB_V_E_PTM) for the end ofdisplay, and information of the time zone assigned to the RTR_VMG.

Because of this configuration, in the recording medium 5, start time ofrecording can be detected for each M_VOB from the VOB_REC_TM andVOB_REC_TM_SUB. Further, end time of recording can be detected from thestart time of recording as well as from the VOB_V_S_PTM and VOB_V_E_PTM.

Assigned to the SMLI is information required for seamless reproductionwith the VOB just ahead. Namely SCR (System Clock Reference) for a headpack of the corresponding VOB (VOB_FIRST_SCR) and SCR for the last packof the corresponding VOB (PREV_VOB_LAST_SCR) are assigned to the SMLI.The SCR is information indicating a time of a day when data for thecorresponding pack is inputted into a decoder buffer.

Information required for processing an audio reproduction gap with adecoder is assigned to the AGAPI. Assigned to the AGAPI are information(VOB_A_STP_PTM) concerning a time of a day for forming a gap, namely atime of a day for temporally stopping reproduction of audio data, andinformation (VOB_A_GAP_LEN) concerning a period of time for temporallystopping reproduction of the audio data. Information concerning anaccess point for each of TMUs with a prespecified time intervaltherebetween is assigned to the TMAPI.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the MNFIT. The MNFIT includes MNFITI,MNFI_SRP, and MNFI. Of these, the MNFITI is management information forMNFIT, and includes a number of successive MNFIs (MNFI_Ns), an endaddress of the successive MNFI (MNFIT_EA), and an ID of the last MNFI(LAST_MNF ID). The MNFITI is provided for each MNFI, and a start addressof the corresponding MNFI is assigned to the MNFITI. Up to five MNFIscan be provided. The MNFI includes a manufacture ID (MNF_ID) includingan ID of a recording device or the like, recording time information forthis MNFI (MNFI_REC_TM), and a domain (MNFI_DT) which a user can usefreely.

In this video camera 1, data for determination changing each time theM_VOB as a recording unit is recorded in the recording medium 5 isgenerated according to the management data based on the M_AVFITdescribed above. The data for determination is assigned to this domain(MNFI_DT) and is recorded in the recording medium 5. In this embodiment,the manufacture ID, recording start time which is time information forthe recording unit recorded last, and recording end time are assigned tothe data for determination.

Namely the system control section 3 and the management data processingsection 8 set data recorded from a start of a recording operation untilthe end of the recording operation in the M_VOB which is one recordingunit and records the system stream in the recording medium 5. Further,the system control section 3 and the management data processing section8 generate and record a file VR_MANGR.IFO based on the management datain the recording medium 5 in correspondence to the record. In this step,when it is determined based on M_AVFIT in the management data havingbeen recorded in the recording medium 5 that the recording start timefor the M_VOB relating to the data recorded just ahead has the same dateas that of the M_VOB to be recorded anew, the system control section 3and management data processing section 8 generate management data basedon program chain information so that the new M_VOB is managed as thesame program as that managing the previously recorded M_VOB. Thus,various types of scenes recorded on the same date are managed by thesame program, which insures improvement of convenience in use.

In this processing step, the system control section 3 and managementdata processing section 8 fetch the recording start time and recordingend time relating the M_VOB just recorded from the time information forthe corresponding M_VOB described above in relation to the M_AVFIT.Then, the system control section 3 and management data processingsection 8 assign the information together with the manufacture ID set inthis video camera 1 as data for determination to the user domain MNFI_DTfor the management data and record the information in the recordingmedium 5.

The information concerning the recording start time and recording endtime for the M_VOB just recorded is data changing each time the M_VOB asa recording unit is recorded in the recording medium 5, and in the usualDVD recorder, the information is recorded in the user domain MNFI_DTincluding no record. In contrast, in the M_AVFIT related to the M_VOB,even in the usual DVD recorder, each time the M_VOB is recorded, thecorresponding VOB is additionally recorded.

With this configuration, by comparing the determination data recorded asdescribed above and obtained from the user domain MNFI_DT to therecording start time and recording end time for the M_VOB recorded lastin the recording medium 5, whether or not the VOB is recorded in therecording medium 5 by a device not managing a plurality of recordingunits as one recording unit in batch by a program can be determined.

With the configuration as described above, when recording of a systemstream in the recording medium 5 is started, if the scene recorded lastin the recording medium 5 relates to the same date as that of a scene tobe recorded from now on, the system control section 3 determines a typeof the recording device for the M_VOB recorded last in the recordingmedium 5, and updates the program based on a result of thisdetermination by executing the process shown in FIG. 8.

Namely the system control section 3 advances the processing from stepSP1 to step SP2, and determines whether the recording start time for thescene recorded last in the recording medium 5 is before or after therecording start time of a scene reproduced from the user domain. When anaffirmative result is obtained, it is determined that this last scenewas clearly recorded by a recording device not managing the user domainand managing data recorded from a start of an recording operation untilthe end of the recording operation as one program such as a DVDrecorder, and therefore the system control section 3 advances theprocessing from step SP2 to step SP 3.

In this step, the system control section 3 determines whether or not anumber of programs set in the recording medium 5 is the maximum numberallowable to be set in the recording medium 5 or not, namely whether theprogram can be updated. When an affirmative result is obtained, thesystem control section 3 advances the processing from step SP3 to stepSP4 to control an operation of the entire recording apparatus forrecording the scene with a new program, and then the processing proceedsto step SP5 to terminate the processing.

When an affirmative result is obtained in step SP3, on the other hand,it is difficult to update the program even if it is tried, so that thesystem control section 3 advances the processing from step SP3 to step6. The system control section 3 sets the management data for managingwith a program for the scene recorded just ahead to additionally recordthe new scene in the recording medium 5, and then the processingproceeds to step SP5 to terminate the processing.

When a negative result is obtained in step SP2, the system controlsection 3 advances the processing from step SP2 to step SP7. In thisstep SP7, the system control section 3 determines whether the recordingend time for the last scene is before or after the recording end timefor the scene reproduced from the user domain. When a negative result isobtained in this step, it is considered that the scene recorded last wasclearly recorded with a DVD recorder, and then the system controlsection 3 advances the processing from step SP7 to step SP3. Dependingon a result of a number of programs, the system control section 3 eitherupdates a program or uses the program for the last scene foradditionally recording the new scene in the recording medium 5. Then,the processing proceeds to step SP 5 to terminate the processing.

In contrast, when an affirmative result is obtained in step SP7, even ifthe scene recorded last had partially been deleted owing to editing orthe like, it is considered that the scene recorded last was recordedwith this video camera 1. Thus, the new scene should additionally berecorded in succession to the last scene to be managed by one programfor improving the user's convenience in use. Therefore, the systemcontrol section 3 advances the processing from step SP7 to step SP6,records the new scene to the program relating to the last scene, andthen the processing proceeds to step SP5 to terminate the processing.

(2) Operations in the Embodiment

With the configuration as described above, in this video camera 1, anaudio stream SA and a video stream SV each acquired by the camerasection 2 are multiplexed by the stream processing section 6 to generatea system stream, and this system stream is recorded in the recordingmedium 5 based on the DVD disk system by the recording medium driveprocessing section 7. Management data for the system stream recorded inthe recording medium 5 is generated by the management data processingsection 8, and this management data is recorded by the recording mediumdrive processing section 7 in the recording medium 5.

The audio stream SA and video stream SV are divided by a data volumeunit to form a plurality of audio packs and video packs, respectively.The VOBUs each including an audio pack and a video pack succeeding froma start of a recording operation until the end of the recordingoperation are recorded as one M_VOB. With this configuration, the audiostream SA and video stream SV are set as the M_VOB as a recording unit,and scenes each based on this recording unit are successively recordedin the recording medium 5.

When a plurality of scenes are recorded on the same day, management datais set so that the plurality of scenes can be managed as one programbased on the program chain information PGCI, and the scenes are recordedin the recording medium 5.

Because of the configuration, with the video camera 1, for instance,when a user carries the video camera 1 during a travel and records anumber of scenes over several days, the plurality of scenes can bemanaged by referring to the date of each scene, so that the user'sconvenience in use can be improved.

In the case where a plurality of scenes are added according to a date ofeach scene and successively recorded in the recording medium 5, theremay occurs the situation that the recording medium 5 is used forrecording a TV program with a DVD recorder for home use. In this case,in the DVD recorder, the M_VOBs corresponding to data recorded from astart of a recording operation until the end of the recording operationare assigned to one program and recorded in the recording medium 5.Because of this configuration, a plurality of scenes recorded with thevideo camera and the TV programs recorded by the DVD recorder can bemanages as separate programs, so that the user can enjoy a result ofrecording with the video camera 1 and the TV program recorded with theDVD recorder discretely without suffering the troubles as experienced inthe conventional technology.

However, when the recording medium 5 is further removed from the videocamera 1 and is used for recording additional scenes on the same day asthat when the TV program is recorded, if there is no contrivance torespond to the situation as described above in the video camera 1,management data is recorded so that the additionally recorded scenes aremanaged by the program managing the TV program. Namely in this case, theTV program is reproduced and the additionally recorded scenes such as alandscape are recorded in succession to the end of the TV program.

To avoid the troubles as described above, data for determinationchanging each time one M_VOB as a recording unit is recorded in therecording medium 5, and the data for determination is recorded in a userdomain for the management data not managed by the DVD recorder. Further,when a new scene is recorded, a type of the recording device havingrecorded the scene recorded last in the recording medium 5 isdetermined, and a program is updated based on a result of thisdetermination.

In other words, when the data for determination recorded in the userdomain as described above is different from the data for determinationgenerated anew based on the management data, it is considered that theM_VOB was recorded with a DVD recorder, and it can be considered thatthe recording device recorded the scene recorded last in the recordingmedium 5 is a DVD recorder. In contrast, when the data for determinationrecorded in the user domain is identical to the data for determinationgenerated anew based on the management data, it can be considered thatthe recording device having recorded the scene recorded last in therecording medium 5 is a device managing a plurality of scenes byreferring to a date of each scene with one program like the video camera1.

With the configuration, when a program used for recording a new scene isswitched, a TV program and the new scene as described above are managedby discrete programs, which enables improvement of user's convenience inuse. In other words, even when scenes recorded with recording deviceshaving different management units are recorded in an optical disk, therecorded contents can be managed accurately without causing troubles forusers.

In the video camera 1, the data for determination is set at therecording start time and the recording end time for the M_VOB recordedlast among the recording start times and recording end times for theM_VOBs assigned to the management data M_AVFIT related to a movingpicture video file. When the recording start time and recording end timefor the M_VOB recorded last is within a time zone defined by therecording start time and recording end time based on the determinationdata, it is determined that the recording device having recorded thescene recorded last is a device managing a plurality of scenes with oneprogram by referring to date of recording for each scene like the videocamera 1, and the new scene is additionally recorded in the programrelating to the last scene. With this feature, in this embodiment, notonly when the recording medium 5 once used in the video camera 1 issimply used in a DVD recorder, but also when a portion of the M_VOB isdeleted with an editing device, the new scene is prevented from beingmanaged by the program managing a TV program, and on the contrary, aplurality of scenes recorded with the video camera 1 can be managed byone program, so that the user's convenience in use can be improved. Inother words, even when data recorded with recording devices havingdifferent management units is recorded in an optical disk, the recordedcontents can be managed accurately.

Further as time information is set in the data for determination asdescribed above, in the video camera 1, a type of the recording devicehaving recorded the scene recorded last can easily be determined bycomparing the record in the user domain to the record in a domain forthe management data, so that the processing steps can easily be carriedout with the simple configuration.

(3) Effects of the Embodiment

With the configuration as described above, data for determinationchanging each time data corresponding to a recording unit from a startof a recording operation until the end of the recording operation isrecorded in an optical disk is generated and recorded in the opticaldisk. By comparing the data for determination recorded in the opticaldisk to management data for determining a type of the recording devicehaving recorded the scene recorded last and switching a management unit,even when scenes recorded with recording devices having differentmanagement units are recorded in an optical disk in succession, therecorded contents can be managed accurately.

Further, as the data for determination is time information concerningthe recording unit recorded last in the optical disk, even when scenesrecorded with recording devices having different management unitsrespectively are recorded in an optical disk in succession, the recordedcontents can be managed accurately.

Further, as the time information indicates the recording start time andrecording end time, even when a portion of data corresponding to arecording unit is deleted during a process for editing processing, whenscenes recorded with recording devices having different management unitsrespectively are recorded in an optical disk in succession, the recordedcontents can accurately be managed.

Further, as the data for determination is assigned to management dataand recorded in an optical disk, the data for determination can beassigned to the user domain of the management data. Therefore, even whenscenes recorded with recording devices having different management unitsrespectively are recorded in an optical disk in succession, recordedcontents can accurately be managed.

(4) Other Embodiments

Description of the embodiment above assumes a case in which data fordetermination includes information for recording start time as well asfor recording end time, but the present invention is not limited to thisconfiguration, and in brief, by generating data for determination basedon the management data constituting a criteria for determinationtogether with the determination data so that the data changes each timea recording unit is recorded in an optical disk, the same effects asthose achieved in the embodiment can be obtained, and for instance, aheader address and an end address of the M_VOB recorded last can also beapplicable as data for determination.

Further in the embodiment described above, the management dataprocessing section and the system control section are provideddiscretely, and a program is updated based on a result of processing bythe management data processing section as well as by the system controlsection, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration,and also the configuration is allowable in which all of the processingsteps are executed by the system control section which is a computercapable of controlling operations of this type of recording apparatus. Aprogram used in the computer as described above is not only previouslyinstalled, but also may be installed through a network such as theInternet, and also may be installed via a recording medium. As therecording medium as described above, an optical disk as the recordingmedium 5 is available, and in addition various types of recording mediasuch as an IC card may be used.

Further in the embodiment described above, the present invention isapplied to a video camera using an optical disk based on the DVD system,but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and canbe applied to video cameras employing various types of recording media.

Further descriptions of the embodiment above assume a case where videodata for a moving picture and audio data corresponding to the video dataare recorded. The present invention, however, is not limited to thisconfiguration, and can be applied in a wide range including, forinstance, a case where still pictures and moving pictures are recordedin one recording medium.

In the embodiment described above, a date is used as a management unit,but the present invention is not limited to this configuration, andvarious types of management units such as a number of scenes or timeinformation may be employed.

As described above, with the present invention, data for determinationchanging each time data corresponding to a recording unit from a startof a recording operation until the end of the recording operation isgenerated based on management data recorded in a recording medium and isrecorded in the recording medium, and by comparing the data fordetermination recorded in the recording medium to the management datafor determining a type of a recording apparatus having recorded therecording unit recorded last and switching the management unit based ona result of this determination, even when scenes recorded with recordingdevices having different management units are recorded in succession,the recorded contents can be managed accurately.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a recordingmethod for a recording medium, and a program for the recording methodfor a recording medium. The invention can be applied, for instance, to avideo camera using an optical disk based on the DVD system.

1. A recording apparatus capable of generating management data for amanagement unit so that a system stream with an audio stream and a videostream multiplexed therein can be managed as one recorded unit from arecording start to a recording end corresponding to the recording startand also a plurality of recorded units can be managed as anothermanagement unit, and also recording the system stream and managementdata for the another management unit, the recording apparatuscomprising: generating device generating determination data each timedata corresponding to said recorded unit is recorded in the recordingmedium, said determination data is generated based on the managementdata and said generating device recording said determination data in therecording medium; and determining device comparing said determinationdata recorded in the recording medium to the management data recorded inthe recording medium for the last recorded unit to determine a type ofrecording apparatus having recorded the last recorded unit, andswitching said management unit according to the determined type ofrecording apparatus.
 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,wherein said determination data is time information of said recordedunit recorded last in the recording medium.
 3. The recording apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said time information comprises therecording start time and recording end time.
 4. The recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said determination data is assigned tosaid management data and is recorded in said recording medium.
 5. Therecording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determinationdata includes a manufacturer ID of the recording apparatus.
 6. Arecording method for a recording medium enabling generation ofmanagement data for a management unit so that a system stream with anaudio stream and a video stream multiplexed therein can be managed asone recorded unit from a recording start to a recording endcorresponding to the recording start and a plurality of recorded unitscan be managed as another management unit, and recording said systemstream and said management data for the another management unit in therecording medium, said method comprising the steps of: generatingdetermination data each time said recorded unit is recorded in saidrecording medium based on said management data and recording saiddetermination data in said recording medium; and determining a type ofrecording apparatus having recorded said recorded unit recorded last bycomparing said determination data recorded in said recording medium tosaid management data recorded in said recording medium for the lastrecorded unit and switching said management unit based on a result ofsaid determination.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein saiddetermination data includes a manufacturer ID of the recordingapparatus.
 8. A computer readable recording medium encoded with aprogram for a recording method for making a computer controllingoperation of a recording apparatus execute a prespecified sequence ofprocessing steps, wherein said processing sequence is executed forgenerating management data for a management unit so that a system streamwith an audio stream and a video stream multiplexed therein can bemanaged as one recorded unit from a recording start to a recording endcorresponding to the recording start and also a plurality of recordedunits can be managed as another management unit, and also for recordingthe system stream and management data for the another management unit inthe recording medium, said sequence comprising the steps of: generatingdetermination data each time said recorded unit is recorded in saidrecording medium based on said management data and recording saiddetermination data in said recording medium; and determining a type ofrecording apparatus having recorded said recorded unit recorded last bycomparing said determination data recorded in said recording medium tosaid management data recorded in said recording medium for the lastrecorded unit and switching said management unit based on a result ofsaid determination.
 9. The computer readable medium recording accordingto claim 8, wherein said determination data includes a manufacturer IDof the recording apparatus.